Surgical table



3 Sheets-Sham R. ANDERSON SURGICAL TABLE Dec. 4, 1951 Filed Sept. 13, 1947 f77 TORNEYS Dec. 4, 1951 R. ANDERSON 2,577,177

SURGICAL TABLE Filed Sept. 13, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f7.9' 7 JNVENTOR. /oger ifm/arson BY www@ ec. 4, 1951 i R. ANDERSON 2,577,177

SURGICAL TABLE Filed Sept. l5, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

/77' 7' ORNE YS Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFicE Claims.

My invention relates to a surgical table and 'particularly to a surgical table on which a patient is supported in a prone position.

Typical operations Which can be more conveniently and adequately performed on the surgical table of my invention comprise spinal operations, neck operations, lung operations, rectal operations, operations involving the posterior of the skull and other operations where the patient -is placed in a prone position. These illustrations of operations for which my surgical table is suited are to be considered as illustrative and not as limitations.

When a patient is in a prone position and supported on a flat surface, there is added labor in breathing as the body of the patient risesand descends. As the abdomen and the chest are supported by the flat surface, they cannot move downwardly and hence the patient must raise or lower the body during breathing. Also, if the back of a patient is held still to aid the surgeon during an operation and the abdomen and the chest are supported byra fiat surface, there is added labor to a patient in breathing. It is an object of my invention to provide means to suitably support a patient in a prone position, which means will not restrict the breathing of the patient and will leave the chest and abdomen free to move and not carry the weight of the patient.

Heretofore when patients were laid in a prone position, on a nat surface, the head of the patient was turned to one side so that the nose and mouth of the patient would be accessible. This caused discomfort to the patient to be maintained in this position for desired operative periods, and also made the nose and mouth of a patient not readily available to the anesthetist and the surgeon. It is an object of my invention to provide means to support the head of a patient from the ,forehead and with the face directly downward for the comfort of a patient and for the convenience and needs of the physician or operator. For example, with the face downward and supported from the forehead, so that the mouth and nose are readily accessible, anesthetists can more adequately perform their duties and it is much easier to insert tubes through the nose or mouth of a patient when they are needed.

Heretofore it was common practice, where it was desired to place a patient in a prone position, to lay the patient on flat tables and by sand bags', stretchers, kidney elevators and the like, to ap- -proach rather than reach a desired. position, for .a particular operation.

A shortcoming of these arrangements was the fact that a patient was not always maintained in a vselected position and hence might be moved during the operation.

Another shortcoming was that external pressure or forces were required to place the spine of a patient in exion or extension. Kidney elevators were not too satisfactory as they compressed the soft tissues and veins against the spinal structure and often impaired venous ciry culation and particularly as to blood return.

It is an object of my invention to overcome the foregoing and many other shortcomings in the prior art.

It is an object of my invention to support a .patient about the pelvic area or about the crest of the ilia or about the groin as the center of support and to provide adjustable supporting means for other portions of the body remote from said center of support, and with the abdomen and lower chest of the patient substantially free of bearing weight.

It is a further object of my invention to prov vide such center of support for a patient and to provide means so that the legs and hips of a patient may function as a weight tending to control the degree of flexion or extension of a spine of a patient.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a support for the anterior shoulder and collar bone area which is relatively vertically adjustable as respects-the center of support previously mentioned to thereby control the degree of flexion or extension of the spine of a patient and thus control the degree of separation of the vertabrae, all of which are accomplished by suitable disposition of the weight of a patient about a central support and without the need of external pressure means.

It is a further object of my invention to pro- Vide a structure wherein a patient is placed in a prone position, face downwardly, and with an arm raised forwardly and downwardly so that the shoulder blade is moved upwardly to permit operations in the area normally covered by the shoulder blade, for example, lung operations.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means wherein a patient may be supported in a prone position, face downwardly, and with the arms positioned and retained in adjusted positions.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a structure wherein a patient may be supported in a prone position with the face downwardly and means to angularly position the ing movement.

thighs of the patient as respects the trunk and without removing the patient from the table. Such structure permits combination shin bone and spinal operations where the shin bone is employed in spinal bone grafting operations.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the detailed description of the mechanical structure as well as in the description of the mode of operation thereof.

The foregoing mentioned general objects of my invention, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a View in elevation of a device embodying my invention, showing in dot `and dash lines a representation of a human figure supported in a prone position and with the face downward;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in plan of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and with parts removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational View illustrating parts shown in Fig. 1 in a different operative position than said parts are shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detached and somewhat diagrammatic view to illustrate parts shown in Fig. 1, but removed in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on broken line 5 5 vof Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detached view in elevation of one set of the cross supports shown in plan in Fig. 4 and having a pad thereon;

Fig. '7 is a top plan View of the structurev shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on an arcuate broken line 8--8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on broken line 9 9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary elevational view of a structure shown in previous figures with an accessory for holding the forearm (shown by dot and dash lines) of a patient;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of parts shown in Fig.

Fig. 12 is a view taken substantially on broken lines |2|2 of Fig. 10, and on a larger scale than Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on broken line |3-I3 of Fig. 12

Fig. 14 is a detached View in elevation of an alternative form of collar bone area sup-porting means; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective fragmentary view of an alternative form of pelvic area supporting means.

Referring more particularly to the mechanical structures illustrated, and without particular reference to the Various advantages of the device .to surgeons, a base I is a conventional formV and may or may not be provided with suitable rollers. If rollers are used, I prefer the type of rollers shown in my copending application, now Patent No. 2,477,562, issued August 2, 1949.. In

-this connection, particular reference is made to gures such as Fig. 3 in said patent, which shows casters or rollers 1| mounted to be lowered so the device can be readily moved from place to place `and which rollers may be retracted to make the device more stable when in use. The base I9 slidably supports a column I for vertical travel- Means to raise and lower the column as respects the base I0 are schemati- `cally shown and comprise 4a foot pump lever I2 connected with a fluid pressure means I3 which -in turn is connected with the column II. Foot pressure release lever I4 is connected with fluid pressure means I3. Thus, by pumping the foot pump lever I2, the column is raised, and upon depressing the foot pressure release lever I4, the column II is lowered. As the rcolumn II is raised or lowered, parts connected therewith which comprise frame means I5 are raised or lowered.

Frame means I5 is provided with openings I6 (see Figs. 1 vand 2) which openings slida'bly re- -ceive members I'I and I 8 which may be of tubular construction. The members lI and I8, cross frame means I9, which carries gear housing comprise a. carriage member, which is generally referred to as 2|. This carriage member 2| is movable toward Vand away from the column I I. A means to accomplish the same comprises a screw 22 which is connected through suitable gearing in gear housing 20 with hand 4crank means 23.

Uponrotation of hand crank means 23 in one direction, said carriage 2| moves away from column II and upon rotation of said crank means 23 in the opposite direction, the carriage 2| is moved .toward column II.

The carriage 2| is provided with spaced openings to slidably receive guide means 24, which may ibe tubular. These guide rods 24 slidably move in a vertical plane as respects the carriage 2| and are rigidly connected with frame means 25. The frame means 25 carry screw 26, which in turn, is geared to hand crank means 21 by gears disposed in gear housing 20,. The hand crank means 2'I is shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and a portion thereof is dotted in Fig. 1. For convenience of manipulation and simplicity of design, I prefer that hand crank means 23 and 2l emerge from opposite sides of the gear housing 2B, but obviously to obtain the desired functional results, they can emerge from the same side of said gear housing. Obviously, upon rotation of the hand crank means 21, in a suitable direction, the frame means 25 will be relatively raised -or lowered as. respect frame means l5 and parts Vto. a concave head rest 3| to engage the forehead of av patient and together they are vertically adjustable as respects the U-shaped bracket. 29. This may be accomplished vby providing a block 32 carrying a rod 33. The rod 33 is preferably of a. design to prevent turning, such asbeing square in section. The rod 33 is slidablyA mounted in a mating recess in a bracket 34. The rod 33 is internally recessed and threaded to receive a screwV 35 which carries a crank means 361. The crank means 36 has a shoulder which limits downward movement. of bracket 34. The bracket 34 carries plate 35. Thus, upon rotation of the crank means. 36 in one direction, the head rest 3| will be moved toward the U-shaped bracket 29 -and. upon rotation in the other direction, the

head rest 3| is permitted to move, away from the U-shap-ed bracket 29.

The frame means 25. is provided to carry supports designed to support the anterior shoulder and: collar bone area. of apatient and at the same time preferably to provide a lesser support for the upper chest of a patient. This may be accomplished by providing openings 3'1 in bosses in the amai?? 'framemean's 25, into which pins or rods 38 are .only a section through one of the pins 38 is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. v

The pins 38, like the pins 39, are preferably removable as indicated in Fig. 5, and carryl plates 48 in a manner so plates 48 can angularly move limited amounts in all directions to conform to .fit a particular patient. TheV plates 48 support safety cross straps 4|. superimposed above and as a padding for the plates 48 and cross straps 4|, is provided suitable cushioning material 42 which may be made of any suitable material, such as sponge rubber. As will appear in Fig. 6, the cushioning material is thicker in the area of the plates 48 than it is in the medial portion Where it covers straps 4|. This will provide for a substantially greater support at the anterior shoulder and collar bone varea as will be hereinafter described than across the upper chest area. At this point,.it is sufficient to note that on most i patients, that the shoulder bones will hang over the outer end portionsof the cushioning material 42. Such a position is generally indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings by the dot and dash lines indicating a patient. Arm rests 43 (Fig. 2) are connected with the frame means 25 so the arms of a patient may be supported thereon and at the desired angle to the body of a patient. The preferable means to provide such connection will be hereinafter described.

The pins 39 are supported by openings 39 (Fig.'2) in theframe means |5 and are removable in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 5, in connection with the pins 38. The pins 39 (Fig. 4) carryplates 44 in the same manner as pins r38 (Fig. 5) carry plates 48. The safety cross straps 45 are supported by the plates 44. The straps 45 are covered with cushioning material 42 in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 6, as are the plates 48 and cross straps 4|.. The cushioning material 42 has been removed from Fig. 4 so as to better indicate the parts therebelow, andlikewise the structure of Fig. 4 has been removed from Fig. 2 for similar purposes.

As the pelvic area of a patient is supported by the plates 44, and cushioning material 42 thereon, it will now readily appear that the crank means 23 may be rotated inthe desired direction to move the unit comprising plates 48, cross straps 4|, and the cushioning material 42 thereon, toward and away from the supported pelvic area of a patient. In the event that the abdomen support 46 and straps 41 connected therewith, and the buckles 48 on the end portions of straps 41 are employed, then of course the buckles 48 on the straps 41 can be adjusted to permit movement of plates 48 away from plates 44.

Also, as the pelvic area of a patient is supported from the pins 39, plates 44, and cushioning material 42 thereon, obviously by rotation of l the crank means 21, the frame means 25 and parts carried thereby may be raised or lowered and thus the anterior shoulder` and collar bone area of a patient may be vertically adjusted relative to the position of the pelvic area of the patient.

The head rest 3| will move up and down with the frame means 25 but may be adjusted relative Vto said frame means 25 by reason of the crank means 36.

In order to maintain the pelvic area of a patient on the cushioning material 42, on plates 44, one strap 49 encircles the buttocks of a patient and is connected to plate and eye means 58, carried by pins 39. Then other straps 5| connect with frame means 52 (which are connected with bars 54) at a location between the legs of a patient and each strap encircles a leg and then each strap is connected with a plate and eye means 53 connected to a pin 39. The straps 49 and 5| may be elastic or flexible material and of suitable width. Either or both said straps 49 and 5| may be employed. The cushioning material 42 on the straps 45 cross the lower abdomen of a patient and the cushioned plates 44 support the pelvic area. (The cushioned plates 44 supporting the weight of the patient and the straps 45 functioning as a safety device preventing inadvertent'falling of the patient but not restricting the patient at the lower abdomen area.)

The bars 54 (Fig. 1) are pivoted by pivot means 55 to the frame means l5. These are interconnected by cross frame or plate 56 (Figs. 1 and 2)-, which is preferably padded by padding 51.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 3 and 9 of the drawings, each of the bars 54 carries a housing 58. Guide rods 59 are slidably mounted in housings 58 and guide rods 59 carry plates 68. Suitable gearing or worm wheel arrangements are provided in housings 58 so that guide rods 59 move toward and away from the housings 58 under control of a crank means, as crank means 6I. In Fig. 9, the crank means 6| rotates shaft 62 and shaft 62 is connected with worm wheels 63. Worm Wheels 63 engage screws 64 (also see Fig. 1). Thus, by rotation of crank means 6| in the desired direction, the plates 68 and parts connected therewith are moved toward and away from housings 58.

Parts are connected with the plates 68, so that a knee apron can be moved toward and away from the knees of a patient under control by crank means 6|.

The plates 68 are pivoted to the plates 66 by pivots 65. Each of the plates 68 is provided with an opening 61, and an inclined trackway 68 (see Fig. 8). The inclined trackway 68 and the openings 61 lie in an arcuate path described about pivots 65, and Fig. 8 is a section on this arcuate path. A spring loaded pin 69 is in the arcuate path of each opening 61 in inclined trackways 68, and each is carried by a plate 66. In the position that the parts are shown in Fig. 1, each spring loaded pin 69 is in registration with an opening 61 and thus, the parts carried by the plates 66, which include leg rest 18 and padded covering 1| thereon, are angularly fixed relative to the bars 54. The angular relation between the padded covering 1| and the bars 51 (when pins 69 are in openings 61) is preferably slightly less than a right angle so there is a tendency to urge a patient forwardly when the knees are supporting weight. Also, if the leg rest in moved downwardly so the knees of a patient are not supporting weight, thenthe rest 18 may engage the shins of a patient and maintain a desired knee bending angle. When the spring loaded pins 69 are pulled and the plates 66 are permitted to angularly move as respects the plates 68, then the leg rest or apron 18 will angularly move downwardly. As the bars 54 are angularly moved in a counter clockwise Vdirection as respects the showing in Fig. 1, by

as do vpins 38. Pins 91 carry a bracket 98 and bracket 98 mounts plate 99. Plate 99 is mounted for limited universal movement so as to better conform to the upper central chest area of different patients. The plate 99 carries a padding material which may be similar to the pad-v ding material 42 shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the modified structure shown in Fig. 15, a frame means |0| is provided on either side of the device and the frame means |0| connects with the frame means I5. As will appear in Fig. 2, thefside portions of the frame means are spaced apart to leave a space therebetween. When a patient is supported on the structure of Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, the'pelvic area or the crests of the ilia are supported by the double padded portions 44 similar to the padded portions 42 of Fig. 6, and thus the klateral spacing is such as to take care of the span across the pelvic area of average or larger than average patients. plates 40 can be employed to take care of different sizes of patients. If the modification shown in Fig. is to be employed, the frame means |0| should be spaced sufliciently apart to permit a patient to rest between spaced frame means l0|. Pliable straps |02 are secured to the frame means |0| and the forward portions (toward the top as viewed in Fig. 15) will pass from each side over the pelvic area and then along the groins of a patient. The straps |02 are preferably secured together and at a location which will be between the legs of a patient. Then the portions |03 of the straps |02 pass around the legs of a patient and to the outside thereof, and are detachably and adjustably secured to the frame means |0| and at a. location to the rear from that where the straps |02 were initially connected to the frame means 0| `Both end portions of the straps |02 are preferably adjustably connected with the frame means |0|.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 15, the pelvic area of a patient is supported by strap means which form a saddle passing from the sides of the patient downwardly and across the pelvic area, thence along the groins of a patient and thence between the legs and around the buttocks or back portions of the legs of a patient. In this form, the weight of a patient at the mid-portion is also carried at the pelvic area.

Referring now more particularly to Figs 1, 4 and 6 of the drawings, th-e pelvic area of a patient will be supported at spaced locations provided by double pads 42 of Fig. 6 and there will be little support afforded the patient at the lower abdominal area by cross straps 45 and the paddig 42 thereon. Suiiicient sag is preferably provided in the straps 45 so that they will only afford a minor Support at the lower abdominal area and they are, in effect, safety straps so that a patient cannot fall through the opening between double pads 42 whenthe position of a patient is being adjusted. i l

Also, the abdominal support 46 is preferably `a safety structure and is adjusted to provide little, if any, support to the abdomen of a patient but it is very useful in the event of a small framed patient who might slide through and is useful regardless of the size of the frame of the patient to provide for initial support while the patient is being properly positioned. The double pads which are carried by the plates 49 adjacent the anterior shoulder and Acollar bone area permit the shoulders to hang over so that the arms can If desired, different sizes of patient is involved.

10 be supported on arm rests 43' and at -a suitable angle, or by forearm rests 92.

It is important that the plates 40 or plate 99 and parts connected therewith can be moved relatively as respects plates 44 (supporting the pelvic area of a patient) both horizontally and vertically. The horizontal adjustment permits the table to, be adjusted to t patients having different sizes of frames. The vertical adjustment cooperates with the leg rest 10 so that the spine of a patient can be placed in flexion or extension and the weight ofthe patient, as distinguished from external pressure means, can be utilized for positioning the spine. For example, as the leg rest '|0l is lowered, weight of the legs of a patient can be utilized as a weight distal of the fulcrum provided by plates 44 or straps |02. As the chest of a patient is lowered by lowering plates 40 or plate 99, the weight of the trunk of a patient can be utilized as a weight proximal of the same fulcrum. By proper control or dis# tribution of such weights, the spine of a patient can be placed in extension or flexion as desired, and maintained'in such position so that the desired relation between vertebrae, or ribs can be obtained and maintained as may be needed for a particular operation. A patient tends to assume the dot and dash line position shown in Fig. 1, with the back extensively arched, or the spine' in flexion, when there is little weight on the knees and the collar bone area is well below the pelvis in elevation. I

For spinal operations, the head rest 3| is suitably adjusted horizontally in view of the size of the head of a patient and then vertically. As the patients forehead is lowered, the vertebrae of the spine, particularly at the neck area, are opened. Also, with the forehead of a patient well downwardly, blood or pus or other fluids can be readily removed through the mouth. This ris particularly useful in lung operations, so that the fluids involved in removing a diseased lung are not drained to the well lung.

As the knee rest 'l0 is raised and more of the weight of the patient is supported thereby, then the spine of a patient tends to become flatter. Simultaneously, as the plates 40 are raised, the spine of a patient tends to become iiatter. Thus, by having a relatively iixed and spaced support at the pelvic area of a patient, or so the pelvic area becomes a fulcrum, andby provision of adjustable means to distribute the weight of the body of a patient lying in each direction from such fulcrum, I am able to control and maintain desiredarching of the spine.

Another important feature of my invention is the open area provided for the face of a patient when the patient has the forehead supported by head rest 3|. This means that an anesthetist will not be hampered While administering an anes-v thetic by inhalation. Also, tubes for irrigation or drainage can be easily inserted, removed or used.

In my invention, I desire to provide suitable support for' the 'pelvic area of a patient so that the major portion of the weight at the pelvic area is carried on the pelvic bones and not on the abdomen of a patient, and thus provide for a `minimum of interference with the breathing of a patient. Patients labor more in breathing while under an anesthetic and still more while prone on conventional tables. It is a major purpose of my invention to reduce such labor to the patient as much moreV than mere inconvenience to the Preferably, the straps 4| passzacross the upper'chest portion ofapatient;

There is less movement in. this area caused by breathing and hence thev straps 4I can -carrymore weight than do straps 45, without undulyincreasing the labor of a patient. Also,` plate 89 may carry the weight of the trunk of a patient at the collar bone or upper chest area;

In some of its aspects, my invention may be likened to wrapping a patient arounda central pelvic Support insofar as the opening up of the vertebrae andv arching of the spine is concerned, and distributing the weight of a patient so the components of the weight, rather than external forces, are employed to vobtain and maintain deesired positions. My invention is further characterized in having as the major supports, a pel-P vlc support, which is preferably two spaced supports, and a collar bone area support, which is preferably two spaced supports; At the same time, I provide for relatively adjustableforehead and leg supports.

In my invention, I have shown the two spaced pelvic supports which comprise the plates 44 and padding thereon or the saddle shownin` Fig. l5; Thesaddler of Fig. will be adjustable to take care of patients having dierent spreads across the pelvis. While I can make the plates Mad-- instable in a horizontal plane toward and away from each other, this is more readily accomplished by using different sizesY of plates: 44 as they are removable.

I have not attempted to list all of the various uses. of my table and have set forth such. eX- arnples as will illustrate the utility ofV theadiustments of the-mechanical apparatus .described and illustrated,

I n a general way, my invention contemplates spaced pelvic supporting means, as plates 44, for supporting a patient in a prone position. These plates .4 are preferably covered by' padding 42y and provide upwardly projecting spaced sup-VV porting areas aligned with and supporting` the. large pelvic bone of a patient at their forwardly projecting portions. Thus the pelvic bones function as a fulcrum about which theA remaining portions of the body of a. patient can beangularly kmoved to adjust the curvature of the spinal column of a, patient for surgical purposes: Next, I provide a support in the vicinity of thechest of a patient, preferably in the vicinity of the collar` bone areaof a patient. These supports Mil-are preferably covered or padded, as indicatedv in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Thus the abdomen of a patient is unrestricted by the spaced plates 44' and is similarly unrestricted by the supporting plates'd in the chest area of a patient. The legs of the patient are supported by supports hinged to the pelvic support and thus the legs, of the patient are suspendedly supported (as indicated inFig; l of the drawings)y with the upper-legs flexed at the` hips and the lower legs exed Yat the knees'. The support for the chest of the patient and the supports for the legs of a patient may be raised' orY lowered relative to the, pelvic Support and thus4 the curvature of the spinal column of the'pat-ient may be adjusted and an adjusted curvature mayy be maintained.

Obviously, changesY may be made in the'forms; dimensions and arrangement of the parts of; my; invention without departing from the principles thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment of my invention.

I claim:

l. In a surgical table for adjusting thecurvafy ture of the spinalv column of a patientY forV surgical purpses, pelvicy supporting means'. for supporting a patient. in. aprono position and having upwardly projecting spaced supporting areas aligned with and supporting the large pelvic bones of. a patient. at their forwardly projecting portions, whereby the central portion of the body ofi a patient is supported by thev pelvicY bones; functioning as a. fulcru'm about: which the-remaining portions ofY the body of apatient can be angularly moved; and two spaced supporting meansfor the balance of the weightv ofthe patient, at least one of said support'- ing means being relatively vertically adjustable as respects saidv pelvic' supporting means, one of said supporting means .being located in the vicinity-of theY collar bone area ofthe patient and beyond the abdomen to leave the same unrestricted, and the otherv of. said supporting means being hinged` to said pelvic; supporting: means to suspendedlysupport thefA legs ofY a patient with the upper legs flexed at the hips and the lower. legs exed at' the knees, whereby'upon relatively raising or lowering of a supported body portion of the patienttow-ard thehead or toward the feet'from thepelvic area, the; curvature of the spinal column cfa patient is adjusted andmaintained.

2. In a surgical table'for" adjusting the curvature of the spinal column of a patient for surgical purposes, pelvic supporting means for supporting a.r patient ina prone position and having lupwardly projecting spaced supporting areas aligned w-ith and supportingv the large pelvic bones ofH a patient at their forwardly projecting portions; whereby'the central portion of. the body of a' patient` isx supported by the pelvic bones functioning as a-fulcrum about which the remain.- ing portions of the body of a patient can be angularly moved; two spaced supporting means for the. balance of the: weight of the patient, at least one of' said supporting means being relatively vertically adjustable as respects said pelvic supporting means, one of said supporting means being located-in the vicinity of the chest of the patient and beyond the abdomen to leave the sameV unrestricted, and the other of said supporting means; being hinged to said pelvic supporting means to suspendedly support the legs of a patient with the upperlegs exed at the hips and the lower legs flexed at the knees, whereby upon relatively raising or lowering of a supported body portion of the patient toward the head or toward'the feetA from the pelvic area, the curvature of the spinal column of a patient is adjusted and maintained; and means to secure the pelvis of thepatient to said pelvic supporting means.

3. In a surgical. table for adjusting the curvature'of the spinalcolumn of a patient for surgical purposes, pelvic. supporting means for supporting a patient in a prone position. and having upwardly projecting spaced. supporting areas aligned with. and. supporting the large pelvic bones o fA a patient at their forwardly projecting portions, whereby' the central portion of the body of a patient is supported by the, pelvic bones functioning; as' a fulcrum about which the-remainingpQrtions. of the body of ak patient can be angularly moved; and two spaced supporting means for the balance of the weight of the patient, at least. one of said supporting means being relatively vertically adjustable as respects said pelvic. supporting means, one. of said supporting means being located in the vicinityv of the chest of the patient and beyond.A theabdomen to leave the sainev unrestricted, andthe other of said supporting meansbeing hinged to. said pelvic supporting means to suspendedly support the legs of a, patient with the upper legs iexed at the hips and the lower legs exed at the knees, whereby upon relatively raising or lowering of a supported body portion of the patient toward the head or toward the feet from the pelvic area, the curvature of the spinal column of a patient is adjusted and maintained, said other supporting means for supporting the upper legs of a patient exed at the hips comprising an upper leg supporting means pivotally connected with said pelvic supporting means, and a lower leg supporting means pivotally and slidingly oonnected with said upper leg supporting means.

4. In a surgical table for adjusting the curvature of the spinal column of a patient for surgical purposes, two laterally spaced pelvic supporting means mounted for free angular movement and for supporting a patient in a prone position with the said pelvic supporting means aligned with and directly supporting the large pelvic bones of a patient at their forwardly projecting portions and at either side of the abdomen and with the abdomen free, whereby the central portion of the body of a patient is supported by the pelvic bones functioning as a fulcrum about which the remaining portions of the body of a patient can be angularly moved; and two spaced supporting means for the balance of the weight of the patient, at least one of said supporting means being relatively vertically adjustable as respects said pelvic supporting means, one of said supporting means being located in the vicinity of the chest of the patient and beyond the abdomen to leave the same unrestricted, and the other of said supporting means being hinged to said pelvic supporting means to suspendedly support the legs of a patient with the upper legs flexed at the hips and the lower legs exed at the knees, whereby upon relatively raising or lowering of a supported body portion of the patient toward the head or toward the feet from the pelvic area, the curvature of the spinal column of a patient is adjusted and maintained.

5. In a surgical table for adjusting the curvature of the spinal column of a patient for surgical purposes, pelvic supporting means for supporting a patient in a prone position and having upwardly projecting spaced supporting areas aligned with and supporting the large pelvic bones of a, patient at their forwardly projecting portions, whereby the central portion of the body of a patient is supported by the pelvic bones functioning as a fulcrum about which the remaining portions of the body of a patient can be angularly moved; and two spaced supporting means for the balance of the weight of the patient, at least one of said supporting means being relatively vertically adjustable as respects said pelvic supporting means, one of said supporting means being located in the vicinity of the chest of the patient and beyond the abdomen to leave the same unrestricted, and the other of said supporting means being hinged to said pelvic supporting means to suspendedly support the legs of a patient with the upper legs flexed at the hips and the lower legs flexed at the knees, whereby yupon relatively raising or lowering of a supported body portion of the patient toward the head or toward the feet from the pelvic area, the curvature of the spinal column of a patient is adjusted and maintained, said one supporting means being mounted for movement toward and away from said pelvic supporting means.

ROGER ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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